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When I heard the news this morning that Jimmy Carter thinks Obama critics are racist, my initial reaction was to reject the idea. Then I decided that it was only fair to consider the idea before choosing to accept or reject it. First, here is what he said:
I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity towards President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he’s African-American.
I live in the South, and I’ve seen the South come a long way. I’ve seen the rest of the country that shared the South’s attitude towards minority groups at that time, particularly African-Americans – and that racism inclination still exists.
Upon a brief examination I realized that my impulse to reject that idea was based on the fact that the opposition that I have expressed to various actions by the Obama Administration is based on ideological perspective, not race. The weakness of that rejection is the same as the weakness of Carters assertion – it is a hasty generalization because I am no more qualified to know the motivations of other people than Jimmy Carter is (that would be “hardly qualified whatsoever”) and therefore other people can be motivated by racism even when I am not. In fact there is no doubt in my mind that some people are in opposition precisely because of their racist feelings – although I believe the worst offenders will openly admit that fact.
The real question then is not whether racism fuels opposition (anyone who has an anti-black attitude will be in opposition to Obama) but whether racism represents “an overwhelming portion” of the opposition. Here is where I really doubt Mr. Carter – although I admit that where he lives (whether that is “in the South” or “in side his head”) racism being an overwhelming portion is more likely than in other places.
The other half of my reflection was why I was so unhappy with the mere suggestion of racism. Carter would certainly argue that it is because I am a closet racist (doubtless he thinks every white person is). The truth is that I dislike Carters use of racism as a red herring. His comments encourage us to drop the issues that divide us and concentrate on the motivations behind our differences. Of course our motivations can be an important factor in how we deal with differences, but claims of racism almost always cloud the issue in question when they are made rather than clarifying the issue.
Confusion is definitely not in short supply which is why I dislike the charge so much. Thanks Mr. Ex-President – you’ve just done another (dis)service for the country.
10 replies on “Carter’s Race Card”
One of the most crazy things that I have read in a while. For the most part I like President Obama, I voted fro him but do not agree with all of his stances. Based on that does that make me a racist as well. To play the race card during policy debate takes race relations in our country in a negative direction.
Agreed.
I considered the possibility that Carter was right that most of those that demonstrate intense animosity toward the President are racist. I’m sure that some are. But what exactly does “intensely demonstrated animosity” mean? In the larger context of Carter’s comments, this seems to simply be a code phrase for anyone that publicly or loudly voices opposition to the President’s policies.
I applaud the President for coming out and saying that he respectfully disagrees with Carter’s take on this issue. Whether the President inwardly agrees with Carter or not, he seems to understand that leveling the charge of racism at one’s political opponents is hardly a way to generate support for his policies. In fact, such accusations come across as disingenuous and/or oversensitive.
Such sentiments no doubt play well to those in the leftist base that see this country primarily as a horridly unfair grievance factory, but exposure of such attitudes will drive away those in the center that thought they were voting for hope and optimism.
I don’t think the protesters in the 9/12 movement where racist, I do think their are a few (less then 1%) that have let their position reflect in a way that could be seen as racist even if it isn’t. Their where signs referring to the president as a monkey and an illegal African, I do not think these people intended for their signs to be seen that way but it doesn’t take much for most people to connect those dots in what would seem an obvious pattern to them.
From what I saw the protesters seem to be a fractures group of Federalists, Conservatives, and Libertarians. The Republicans would be very mistaken to think these people are their friends.
Indeed, those that pull stupid stuff, regardless of whether they are on the left, right, or some other direction alienate far more people by their bizarre behavior than they attract. I do believe, however, that the media shows a clear bias in their coverage of such nuts. For over four decades, the media has largely ignored the nutcakes on the left while focusing on the best elements of protests. Now when you have protesters that oppose the left, the media seems to go out of its way to find and broadcast the strange fringe.
I saw an interview of black 912 demonstrator who said that he was looking for the racists but he hadn’t been able to find any.
I thought it was racist when the media made such a big hoopla about America electing a black president and it is equally racist when we are told if we disagree with Obama it is because we are racists. In fact those that make that assertion usually call Obama a black man- which is solely lased on the color of his skin when by heritage Obama is both Black and White- If we are racists because we prefer the United States Constitution to socialism- how do the know it all know weather we are ant0white, anti- black or anti mixed blood racists?
I had to step back and read what President Carter said and think about it. I have finally come to the position that he may have a somewhat relevant point. I think I would be extremely naive to think that some of the animosity towards President Obama is anything but racist. Does racism exist in this country? Oh yes, and probably more than I want to admit or to what I am exposed to. I think for people to go out and equate Mr. Obama with Hitler may have some racist tendencies, or at least hateful or spiteful tendencies–and such behavior is boorish and childish and serves no purpose.
Nonetheless, it is disingenuous–especially by someone who supposedly has the statesman capacity of President Carter–to make a blanket statement that any disagreement with President Obama’s policies is based on racism. Ultimately, it hurts any meaningful discussion on racism because some people (I am using a sample population of one, myself, here) are really tired of hearing the race card played all the time.
Anyway, I did a little test and to assess whether my opposition to President Obama is based on race. I compared my reaction to President Obama’s healthcare plan to my reactions relative to Senator Baucus’ proposal, President and Mrs. Clinton’s mid-90s proposal, Nancy Pelosi’s proposal, and the late Senator Kennedy’s proposal. Interestingly, they all scored at just about the same level on my BS-meter with the exception of Mr. Baucus’ proposal, which I thought was even more idiotic than the others because it really does nothing different, and in my opinion is even more self-serving than the others, but I digress.
In the end, I think President Carter’s statement will have a negative effect on President Obama, and hence, the political expediency to distance himself from President Carter on the matter.
Moreover, in my humble opinion, such a blanket statement is just as “racist,” if not more, as those people who are truly racist, because President Carter is pre-supposing an inappropriate mindset without knowing the people (as a whole) whom is castigates. It gets in the way of meaningful debate on legitimate differences of opinion.
It does make for great politics because now any disagreement with the President will initially be concluded to be based in fear and racism. It also gives the left-wing and right-wing talking heads fuel to spew their collective nonsense, which also gets in the way of legitimate debate.
So let’s get back to the essence of our differences of opinion on where this country is going and not be distracted by these misdirections by either side.
It sounds like I’m preaching to the choir here. I find it interesting that so many regular citizens, as represented here, can clearly see that while racism is still a force in this country it is not the driving force of opposition to the President and that playing the race card is counterproductive to meaningful dialog on the issues at hand – too bad Carter can’t figure that out, but I think that Obama clearly sees that the claim hurts much more than it could help anything.
Those making the charge don't care if the opposition is anti-white, anti-black, or anti-mixed blood – they just want to be able to dismiss the protests and protesters on grounds of bigotry.